Supervisors approve first step in utility fee hikes

Utility customers, developers and home builders can expect rates on water and sewer connection fees to jump beginning June 1 after the first step of approvals by Carson City supervisors Thursday.

The city held numerous public workshops and settled on the first new fee schedule the city has seen in 10 years.

The new rates will include sewer connection fees set at $5,777, a $3,551 increase; a 9.1 percent increase in sewer rates; and water-connection fees set at $3,968, a $634 increase.

Staff is also proposing to refigure the rate schedule for all water customers. The flat monthly service charge will be reduced by 10 percent, then rates will be increased, according to water usage.

The cost per thousand gallons used will be increased by 21.47 percent, said Tom Hoffert, utilities operations manager. Those who use up to 5,000 gallons per month will be charged 49 cents per 1,000 gallons, a 9-cent increase.

Customers will be charged 73 cents per 1,000 gallons for the next 5,001 to 15,000 gallons. The next 15,000 to 50,000 gallons will cost $1.01 per 1,000 gallons. Any amount over 50,000 gallons will cost $1.58 per 1,000 gallons.

City supervisors will make a final decision on the matter at their next meeting in two weeks.